| | - |
|
President Hu tells HIV carriers, communities not to be daunted by disease |
 |
+ |
- |
21:39, November 30, 2007 |
Ahead of the 20th World AIDS Day on Saturday, Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday visited doctors and communities, talking and shaking hands with HIV patients and chanting songs with heartening lyrics inspiring people "not to be daunted by HIV".
In an apparent gesture to show the Central Government's resolution to tackle the growing AIDS problem in the country, Hu visited medical staff "fighting AIDS on the battlefront" in a hospital in eastern Beijing Friday morning.
Looking through medical facilities and drugs used for AIDS prevention and control, Hu carefully inquired about treatment methods and the prevalent situation of the disease.
Television footage carried by China Central Television showed a camera lens zooming in on Hu's hands holding that of a female patient with HIV. The president made similar handshakes three years ago.
"I'm so happy that you are not frightened by the disease," Hu told the woman in a white sweater with shoulder-length black hair.
"Thanks to the timely and effective help of doctors, the disease has been contained at present," said the woman who gave Hu a book written by herself as a gift.
The president, wearing a red ribbon, encouraged the woman to take care of her health and remain confident in her fight against the disease.
Another woman whose husband has contracted HIV showed Hu a picture of her baby boy. "We've just had a baby. You can see it from the picture," said the woman.
The president was relieved when the woman said both she and the baby was "safe". Hu said, "Your life's not easy but your family are very happy."
By the end of October 2007, a total of 223,501 people had been officially reported to have contracted HIV, including 62,838 AIDS patients, according to a appraisal report by the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNAIDS.
Despite the rate of AIDS growth has slowed down, the government has admitted the situation remains grave in the country with a population of 1.3 billion. Official report says there will be estimably as many as 700,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in China by the end of 2007.
President Hu also encouraged doctors and nurses to study breakthrough treatment techniques to contribute more to the country's AIDS control and prevention.
"Doctors are the main force in combating HIV/AIDS and it also needs concerted efforts from the whole of society," the president told medical staff.
Source:Xinhua
|
|
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article